EFFECT OF SHOCK-WAVES AND CISPLATIN ON CISPLATIN-SENSITIVE AND CISPLATIN-RESISTANT RODENT TUMORS IN-VIVO

The effect of a combination of shock waves with cisplatin was examined in vivo with subcutaneously implanted amelanotic melanomas (A-Mel 3) in Syrian golden hamsters and cispratin-sensitive or cisplatin-resista nt fibrosarcoma (SSK2/0 and SSK2/ R2) in C3H mice. In all 3 tumor mode ls, 4 treatment modalities were compared: control, cisplatin treatment , shock waves and the combination of shock waves and cisplatin. Shock waves significantly delayed tumor growth in all 3 tumor models when co mpared to the respective control group. Cisplatin alone delayed the gr owth of A-Mel 3 and SSK2/0, whereas SSK2/R2 remained uninfluenced by t he drug. In all 3 tumor models the combined treatment with shock waves and cisplatin additively and significantly delayed tumor growth. In A -Mel-3-bearing animals the combined treatment significantly increased survival time. The growth of SSK2/0 and SSK2/R2 tumors was delayed to a similar extent by the combined treatment modality as compared to sho ck-wave treatment alone, This indicates that the cisplatin resistance of SSK2/R2 tumors has been overcome by the simultaneous shock wave tre atment. An increased intracellular cisplatin accumulation in the tumor s due to shock wave exposure is suggested as the mechanism of interact ion between shock waves and cisplatin. (C) 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.